Robert Schumann
Geistervariationen for piano solo · Introduction & Concert-Allegro · Six Etudes in Canonic Form (arr. Debussy)
Tzimon Barto, piano
NDR Sinfonieorchester
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor and piano
Marking the 200th anniversary of Robert Schumann and the 70th birthday of Christoph Eschenbach
Listen to samples on selected tracks.
Marking the 200th anniversary of Robert Schumann in 2010, this CD contains a unique coupling of the great German Romantic composer's late piano works.
This recording also pays tribute to Christoph Eschenbach who celebrates his own 70th birthday on February 20, 2010. He is featured here both as pianist and as conductor, together with his long-time musical protégé and close friend, pianist Tzimon Barto. Together, they perform a "piano concerto arrangement" of three Schumann works: Eschenbach has coupled the concertante rarities Op. 92 and Op. 134 on the model of a three-movement piano concerto, in which the "Geistervariationen" for piano solo take the function of a slow middle movement. As an encore to this program, Christoph Eschenbach and Tzimon Barto recorded the arrangement for two pianos by Claude Debussy of Six Etudes in Canonic Form, originally written by Schumann for pedal piano (or organ).
In the two Concert Pieces, Christoph Eschenbach conducts the renowned NDR Sinfonieorchester, which he led as Chief Conductor from 1998-2004.
Booklet with liner notes in English, German and French
Ces raretés présentées dans un programme inédit mériteraient d'être plus souvent programmées en concert. (...) La puissance digitale de Barto supporte aisément un accompagnement puissant mais attentionné d'Eschenbach. (...) Un disque original et particulièrement bien réalisé des oeuvres tardives de Robert Schumann.
Stéphane Friédérich, Classica, juin 2010, ****
Absolut überzeugend (...). Nicht der grosse emotionale Überschwang wird zelebriert, sondern das Fragile, das kaum Hörbare, das besonders Subtile. (...) Eschenbach und Barto sind sich bei diesen hochpersönlichen Deutungen offensichtlich ganz einig, was auch die enorm elegische Wiedergabe der Etüden op. 56 (...) zeigt, in der beide Künster wie mit einem Herzen, dessen Schlag gefährlich verlangsamt ist, spielen.
Frank Siebert, Fono Forum, Juli 2010
Eschenbach and Barto (...) make a delightful partnership in (the Six Etudes) that does not merit its current neglect.
Jeremy Nicholas, Gramophone, June 2010
Kappaleiden fantasioiva muotokieli ja aiheiden haaveellinen hyväily avautuu Tzimon Barton ja Christoph Eschenbachin runollisessa käsittelyssä.
Jukka Isopuro, Helsingin Sanomat, 15.5.2010
Tzimon Barto spielt mit erlesenster Verfeinerung des Klanges (...), in unendlich zarten Abtönungen in sehr freier, dabei aber stets musikalischer Abwandlung der Tempi. Eschenbach lässt das NDR-Sinfonieorchester mit einer seelenverwandten Feinfühligkeit begleiten, die ihresgleichen sucht.
Christoph Schlüren, Stereoplay, 20.4.2010
Die schwebend leichten, betont lyrischen und poetisch empfundenden Einleitungsklänge des Opus 92 zeigen den Weg, den Eschenbach und Barto gehen. Überaus nuancenreich, feinsinnig und mit viel Sinn für das "Verrückte" in Schumanns Musik.
Rémy Franck, Pizzicato, April 2010, Supersonic Award
Entre romance sans parole et musique d'elfes (...) ces six Etudes en forme de canon oublient toute rigidité pour ne dessiner que de vaporeux paysages intérieurs.Tzimon Barto et Christoph Eschenbach les peignent en suaves aquarellistes.
Gilles Macassar, Télérama, 6 mars 2010, "ffff"
Die CD ist eine Delikatesse aus Träumerei und Leidenschaft, aus Wiesengrund und Mondschein, ist mit einem Wort: pure Romantik.
Der Spiegel, 22.2.2010
Eine grosse Nachtmusik. (...) Tzimon Barto spielt diesen "Mittelsatz" (Geistervariationen) mit blühendem Legato, vollgriffigem Ausdruck (...). Eschenbachs Interpretation verteilt klug Licht und Schatten, sie lotet jedes Detail aus. Und das NDR Sinfonieorchester (...) wächst unter seiner Anleitung wieder einmal über sich hinaus.
Eleonore Brüning, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 20. Februar 2010
Eine der schönsten, gewichtigsten CDs zum gerade erst anklingenden Jubiläumsjahr (200. Geburtstag), das kann man jetzt schon sagen. Denn hier stimmt alles. (...) Tzimon Barto greift mit der gewohnten Mischung aus Pranke, Sensibilität und Eigensinn in die Tasten, Eschenbach dirigiert mit Liebe und rhythmisch straffer Zucht.
Manuel Brug, Die Welt, 17.2.2010
Recognized as one of the foremost American pianists of his generation, Tzimon Barto has been giving exciting and highly acclaimed performances on both sides of the Atlantic. Born and raised in Florida, Tzimon Barto received his first piano lessons from his grandmother at the age of five, and later attended the Juilliard School of Music, studying piano with Adele Marcus. While at Juilliard he won the Gina Bachauer Competition two consecutive years in a row. Additionally, Tzimon Barto was a conducting fellow and coach for the American Opera Center. At the Tanglewood Institute, he received the "Most Outstanding Student Award", presented by Gunther Schuller for his achievements as a young conductor.
In the summer of 1945, as Germany lay in ruins, an officer of the British occupying forces, together with the German conductor Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt, went in search of musicians for a new radio symphony orchestra in Hamburg. The first public concert was presented a few months later, and - as an American newspaper later wrote - "the old world's youngest major orchestra" was born. The NDR Symphony Orchestra quickly rose to become an important representative of German musical life after the Second World War. Since then, numerous concert tours have taken the orchestra to the world's most prestigious concert halls. Christoph von Dohnányi assumed the position of Chief Conductor at the beginning of the 2004-2005 season. At the same time, Alan Gilbert was appointed Principal Guest Conductor. The NDR Symphony Orchestra is the resident orchestra of the future Elbphilharmonie.
Held in high esteem by the world's foremost orchestras and opera houses for his commanding presence, versatility, and consummate musicianship, Christoph Eschenbach has also been acclaimed for his creative insight and dynamic energy, as a conductor, collaborator, and ardent champion of young musicians. In autumn 2010, he assumed the music directorship of the National Symphony Orchestra and the specially created position of music director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, both in Washington, D.C.
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